Phase 3: Early Struggles and Relapse: the Disciples’ Boldness (10:32-34)

The Lure of Ritual Purity (13.9-18)

The Presenting Pastoral Issue

Withdrawal of some members (Heb 10:25)

Christian disciples and societal pressures

Pressing Issue: The disciples’ continuing struggle with sin and their inability to fully understand and appropriate the implication of their stance before God in Christ.

Recognize the possible genres of Hebrews

Hebrews as “letter”: Heb 13:18-25

Hebrews as “sermon" - Heb 1:1-4

as oratorical opening

The genre of “word of exhortation” (Heb 13:22)

A ;The Doctrinal portion of the Epistle/Sermon. Jesus the Mediator of the New Covenant is introduced, compared and demonstrated to be superior to the mediators of the Old Covenant: prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua, Aaron.

One of the four main points of Hebrews’s outline

B. 4: 14-10:18 The Son in His Melchizedek priesthood is demonstrated to be superior to Aaron in his levitical priesthood.

One of the four main points of Hebrews’s outline

C . 10:19-12:29 Practical Applications drawn from Doctrinal exposition. Because of the superiority and finality of the New Covenant, the readers are urged to boldness in using access to God that was opened up through Christ and to remain steadfast in their faith while encouraging others.

One of the four main points of Hebrews’s outline

D. 13:1-25 Conclusion [Epilogue] 13:1-6 Ethical precepts are related to their social life. 13:7-17 Make a clear break with the “dominant” group. An apparent tendency to disown the teachings and example of early Christian leaders is checked with exhortations to make a clean break with those clinging to Judaistic teachings. A gracious benediction is spoken and final greetings are sent

One of the four main points of Hebrews’s outline

Understand the overview of the pastoral strategy of Hebrews (Sect. 3.1).

4. Explore the aspects of grace and human response: a) between God and humans in Hebrews and b) between patrons and clients in the ancient world (Sect. 4.1, 4.2 and Scholar’s Corner box: Hebrews, Apostasy and No Return?).

5. Understand the three aspects of Hebrews as a call to persevere in gratitude and explain the warning against ingratitude (Sect. 4.3). 6. Recognize the contributions of Hebrews to early Christology (Sect. 5).7. Analyze how Hebrews plays a role in Christian Formation (Sect.6).